Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

My little HS520 is a loud bugger.  When I hold the chute handle then it is fairly quiet.  Perhaps I will need to add some nylon washers around the chute.  How loud are Toro 421/621 variants? 2 cycle Toro sounds like small engine motorcycles.  Did anyone do a modification to make his/her SS quiet?

The HS520 has the loudest exhaust sound, with some sharp metallic bark to it.  I think the muffler should be bigger.  The chassis and everything is quite solid so it should be quieter.

The Toro 421 and HS621 exhaust sound is very similar.  The exhaust tone has lower tone, the Toro has some plastic rattling from the housing/chute mixed in.  I think the Toro is the quietest since it has the largest muffler.

I had thought about using the noise dampening felt material that's on the bottom of car hoods.  They are fireproof material.  I also thought about using different mufflers.  I decided it wasn't worth the trouble.

When you're starting the engines near a garage, it just sounds loud.  When you're out in the open area actually snowblowing, the blanket of snow on the ground does quiet things down a bit so it doesn't bother me.  Plus, if you use ear muffs, it quiet things down a bit more.

Damn loud.  But I use ear plugs when using my CCR1000.  Or any OPE for that matter.

HS35 and HS621, not loud enough to necessitate earplugs.But HS35's chute control stick (metal) makes a metallic vibration noise, like 'zzzzz''. When I fully turn to one side it goes away.

When I I turn the choke off it starts getting louder for a moment, then they get quieter.

The main noise is from metal vibrating.  If you hold down on the chute, it is fairly quiet.  But these are loud little buggers.

I'm sorry, what did you say?

Is it as loud as my 4 year-old.

Your 4-year will get better as he/she matures but the snowblower does not get better with the age. 

MN_Runner wrote:
That's iffy.  But certainly your hearing will get worse over time so it doesn't sound as loud. 

The two cycle Tecumseh and B&S engines aren't objectionable at normal operating rpms.  Nonetheless, I always wear hearing protection regardless of what I'm operating.  You want noise?   You should hear those Tecumseh two strokes at 6000+ rpm. 

I was in a buying mood so I bought a Honda HS35 today from a college professor.  He asked for $25 since it needed new rubbers, scrapper and belt.  So I offered him $15 and got it home.  Changed the sparkplug and replaced the oil. This thing is quieter than HS520 and runs really well without any issues for being a 20 year old machine.  I ordered 8-piece rubber set  from eBay and belt and scrapper from boats.net for a grand total of $86 including shipping.  So I will post some pictures as soon as this project is done.

MN_Runner wrote:

$15 for an HS35, that's an awesome deal, especially since it's running well.

Make sure you check the belt condition and the tension too.

I'm surprised that you said its quiet.  I thought that the HS35 had Honda side valve engine.

MN_Runner wrote:

WOW! $15? You got it for free then.Looking forward to seeing the pictures.

I wonder if the scraper is facing backwards or forward.

I bought the shop manual and its supplement for HS35, if you need it I can take photos and send them.

aa335 wrote:

Compared to two-stroke Toros I heard, it is quieter.

Hey Blu -

I applaud you for putting so much into the HS35. The chassis is a monster + build.
Between the service manual, and the expensive toolkit....how much are you ~in~ on that 35....

I would think for all that money you're investing, maybe you're better off buying a newer single stage that will have a better design and more power..

My Craftsman 52844  Single Stage ( I think it was built by Murray) makes more noise than my Husqvarne Two Stage,

blumonster wrote:

thanks,  My parts on their way from MI and FL so hopefully next week my little HS35 will be in a running shape.  The Honda shop says spending on 80-100 for parts are not that bad if the engine is running good as it is a good machine.

blumonster wrote:
The newer Toro 221Q is louder than a 4 stroke, but it has a nice sound.  I like how it sounds when there's load on it.

I don't know what engine is on a Snapper LE19, maybe an old Tecumseh, but it is loud and obnoxious.

MN_Runner wrote:
Got any pics of the HS35 as is before the makeover? 

mobiledynamics wrote:

Oh, thanks mobiledynamics :)

I did not count but probably around 200 dollars including the 80 dollars I paid the previous owner.For the shop manual I paid only 12.50 including shipping.The tools were not expensive.7.50 in total, including shipping.I bought aftermarket auger paddles but OEM scraper.Some bolts,washers,plates,PB blaster etc. I have not bought each and every bolt,washer,collar though. I thought about buying collars for example.But they cost 2-3 dollars each and there are 24 of them.

It is my first snow blower, it was made in Japan.I trust them.Of course it is a very old machine but the newly made anything tends to be less in quality and reliability.

I thought about getting Poulan Pro single stage for 300 dollars but the engine is from China, I am sure the construction too is flimsy.Even if there is some rust on HS35's auger housing/auger I can sand it,primer it and paint it.As long as the engine works the rest can be taken care of since the rust is not bad.

I hear ya blu.

Anyone on this forum is a enthusiest.....and we're probably picking the finer details on things.
For all intents and purpose, I was just saying at the $$$ you got into it, a cheaper machine which probably has more power will do you justice.
Afterall,  who cares about the fluffy stuff. You can move that with a shovel. It's all that other stuff in between, where instead of backbreaking work, it's the power of the sb that is doing the job for you.


The engine afterall, like most decent cars, will last much longer than the other components.......ya know.

I'd just hate for you to get caught up on the HS35 of yours when you're better served with any SS that has more power at the end of the day.

mobiledynamics wrote:

I almost abought a HS35 last year.  It's an credibly well built machine.  After pricing out things to replace, it came out to be quite expensive.  A lot of HS35 parts are obsoleted too.

Since I just recently put in some time and money restoring an HS621, getting another old machine to restore wasn't in the cards at the time.

I know it's a lot of money when you could run out to the big box store and buy a new 208cc snowblower for less than $400, but it could never have the same appeal as a restored HS35, HS621, or a Toro 3650 (Suzuki powered) single stage snowblowers.

At the end of the day, it's not just about power.  I have a 2 stage snowblower that throws snow well and can dig me out of big storms, but these older single stage machines are quite fun to use and work on.

mobiledynamics wrote:

You have got a point.I might end up regretting it but like aa335 says it is also fun (so far) dealing with it.Like having something of historical importance in hand.Of course I expect it to blow snow too :D

When you are good to your car/equipment I think they understand you, they do their best not to disappoint you. :) I am hoping...

If it does not work I have the other antique Honda HS621.If that does not work then I might think go back to square one and think about buying brand new brittle machines.

I've got 2 HS621's under my belt.....so I concur in some aspects.

Methinks you might get more bang for the buck in terms of time/value on getting the 621 back up to speed.
Then work on the 35....

Just came back from the garage.I had sprayed PB blaster on the bolts yesterday.I broke one bolt already.I was hoping to replace paddles.I have not done this before.One socket wrench and a fitting socket was not enough.I do not have a box wrench that size.So the job is unfinished,not even started. :(

Just a look at the control part...all three knobs together side by side.Chute control handle is close to the knobs.HS621 does not even have that handle/lever.Fuel shut off valve is close to the bottom.

I like KROIL alot more than anything else....Did you give it a healty dosing on  the PB

My photos of HS35.  It took me two hours to replace the old rubbers.  Not an easy job.  I have not gotten the plastic scrappers yet.  So that would be next job.

That could be nice project to get all that rust out and paint her nice and shiny.

I am not planning to sand down the rust to bare metal then painting it over.  I am only doing rubbers, scaper and belt in addition to normal oil and sparkplug changes.  HS35 is not a snowblower I want to spend a lot of time and effort.  If I can get three to five years out of it preping an ice rink on my pond.  I will do everything to keep my 928 in a top shape and rust free.  I bought HS35 mostly out of personal curiosity and nothing more.

Not saying you need to paint it, that takes some work. 

I just don't like having rusty things laying around.  I either finish it up nicely or junk it.  :)

Or sell it.